Pakistan's Saim Ayub, known for his flamboyant batting style, experienced a moment of embarrassment during the team's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 opener against the Netherlands on Saturday, February 7. The incident occurred at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

During Pakistan's chase of 148, Ayub attempted a risky "no-look" shot against the bowling of Aryan Dutt. The shot, intended to clear the boundary for a six, backfired when Ayub miscued the ball. The ball edged off the bat and went straight up in the air, resulting in an easy catch for Roelof van der Merwe at mid-on. Ayub, who had scored 24 runs off 13 deliveries, had to walk back to the pavilion.

The dismissal was a setback for Pakistan, who were aiming to start their T20 World Cup campaign with a victory. Despite the early loss of Ayub's wicket, Pakistan ultimately survived a scare to secure a 3-wicket win over the Netherlands. Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 47 runs, while Faheem Ashraf contributed an unbeaten 29 off just 11 balls to guide the team to victory.

The failed "no-look" shot quickly became a talking point on social media, with fans and critics alike mocking Ayub's attempt. While some appreciated the batter's adventurous approach, others questioned the wisdom of attempting such a high-risk shot in a crucial World Cup match.

This isn't the first time Ayub has faced criticism for attempting the no-look shot. In September 2024, while representing the Panthers in the Champions One Day Cup, Ayub tried a similar shot against the Dolphins, only to be caught out.

Despite the embarrassment, Ayub remains a promising talent for Pakistan. His aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs make him a valuable asset in the T20 format. It remains to be seen whether Ayub will continue to attempt the "no-look" shot in future matches, but the recent experience will likely serve as a lesson for the young batter.